Advance Care Planning

What happens when an illness or injury leaves you unable to make decisions concerning your own medical care?

Who will make your decisions for you?

Do they know your wishes?

What would it be like for them if they didn’t know?

How can you help them make these decisions?

What kind of treatments would you want to receive if you had a severe permanent brain injury with little chance you would be able to know yourself or those around you?

Advance care planning answers these questions. It helps bring you and those who may be making your decisions peace of mind.

What is advance care planning?
Advance care planning is the process of planning and deciding your own future health care in case you are suddenly unable to make your own decisions because of illness or injury.

Advance care planning consists of three parts.

It helps you to think about and discuss treatment options with your family and health care providers and to make treatment decisions based on your goals and values.

It allows you to select someone you can trust to make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so.

It allows you to document and communicate your decisions to those who need to know.